Category: Learning as Work and Play

Learning as Work and Play, social learning1 Comment

Happy Panda Day! (Year two)

Chris Loeffler

A few days from now it will be National Panda Day. Two days ago it was our school’s second ever Happy Panda Day! The day marks two years since our school year was flipped-turned upside down by COVID-19. Last year, Happy Panda Day was created to celebrate all that we had accomplished in the year. A celebration of kindness, generosity, community, and finding joy when it felt most difficult. This year, we marked that anniversary again, another opportunity to find peace and happiness together. Last year, we all needed a reminder of the work we had accomplished in the face … Continue reading Happy Panda Day! (Year two)

Innovative teaching, Leadership, Learning as Work and PlayLeave a comment

A note for my son & Classroom artistry

Chris Loeffler

Tonight I found a teachable moment for my son. A moment that was uniquely created by a pandemic. On Monday, I hope I can find new ways to help teachers find teachable moments for their students. 2020 has made it extremely obvious how important it is for us to create positive change in the world. Our teachers are at the center of that work and encouraging their artistry is essential. Continue reading A note for my son & Classroom artistry

Innovative teaching, Learning as Work and Play5 Comments

The Inspiration of a Glass Classroom

Chris Loeffler

For nine months in 1915 in the city of San Francisco, the Panama Pacific International Exhibition hosted 18 million visitors from all over the world. They saw a Ford Model T assembly line, a model of the recently completed Panama Canal, brand new planes, new foods grown in California, and a glass classroom. Continue reading The Inspiration of a Glass Classroom

Featured, Innovative teaching, Leadership, Learning as Work and Play, Young OriginalsLeave a comment

Young Originals: The importance of passion and play, the challenge of purpose

Chris Loeffler

Wagner made me realize one of the reasons that I find these students so appealing – they cling to passion and play longer than most students. I have taught third and fifth grades, and most students have figured out how to play the school game by the time they have reached the age of 9. Young Originals, however, maintain their desire to find the humor and joy in the mundane.  Continue reading Young Originals: The importance of passion and play, the challenge of purpose

Innovative teaching, Leadership, Learning as Work and Play, social learning3 Comments

I’m annoyed and I blame it on Paul Solarz (because he is awesome)!

Chris Loeffler

For the last two days, I’ve been reading Paul Solarz’s (that looks weird, I think it should be Solarz’) book Learn Like a Pirate. I am pretty sure he is the best fifth grade teacher ever. This bothers me for two reasons. One is that I am pretty sure I can never reach his skill level. And two, I just left my fifth grade classroom and feel like I need to go back right away to try out all of the things I just learned from his book. Continue reading I’m annoyed and I blame it on Paul Solarz (because he is awesome)!